Redskins Hire Jay Gruden As Head Coach

The Washington Redskins have hired Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden to be their new head coach, according to reports. The Redskins, who fired Mike Shanahan following a disappointing 3-13 season, interviewed a number of candidates before choosing Gruden.

While with the Bengals, Gruden developed quarterback Andy Dalton and called plays for an offense that steadily improved over the years, ranking 10th in yards per game (368.2) and fourth in touchdowns scored (47) in 2013. Gruden was hired by the Bengals in 2011 after one season as head coach and general manager of the United Football League’s Florida Tuskers. Prior, he served two stints as head coach of the Arena Football League’s Orlando Predators (1998-2001; 2004-08) and won two ArenaBowl championships. From 2002-08, Gruden was an offensive assistant for his brother, Jon, on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ coaching staff.

Most of the Redskins’ current coaching staff will stay in place under Gruden. Jim Haslett, who served as head coach of the Tuskers before Gruden (who was offensive coordinator at the time), will remain defensive coordinator, and tight ends coach Sean McVay has been elevated to offensive coordinator to take over for the departed Kyle Shanahan.

The Redskins will hold a 4 p.m. news conference to announce the hiring.